Our Choice for Cheap Watches Under $20

If you’re into watches or know someone who is, you know how pricey timepieces can get. Even if you’re not sifting through luxury watches which will set you back thousands of dollars, a good watch with a durable case can still set you back a couple hundred dollars or so.

What if you don’t have the money for that? What if you’re looking for a low-cost holiday or birthday present on a very tight budget?

Well, what if we told you that you could find a sport watch or a dress watch worth showing off for just a little bit more than your average movie ticket? You can! From a classy watch with a black leather band to a easy-to-read digital watch with an accurate quartz movement, the fact of the matter is that you can find a great watch for under 20 dollars — whether you’re searching on Amazon, in stores, or elsewhere.

Rather than leaving you to search these amazing watch deals out for yourself, we’ve tested watches one by one to create our definitive list of the 6 Best Watches Under 20 Dollars For 2021! We’ve even put together a useful Frequently Asked Questions section to give you more information on both the best cheap watches for men and the best cheap watches for women currently available in the marketplace.

First, let’s get to our list!

The 6 Best Watches Under 20 Dollars For 2021

6) SYMOL Starlight Leather Strap Watch

We start with a watch that has all you’d want out of a unique women’s dress watch without the hefty price tag. The SYMOL Starlight Leather Strap Watch has many attractive attributes, but it’s the outer space watch face which is all the rage here. We also dig the look and feel of the black leather band which makes this watch an easy fit for a multitude of outfit choices.

Specs

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Tang Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 36 mm

Case Thickness: 9 mm

Band Material: Leather

Band Width: 15 mm

Band Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• The aesthetic of this watch is out of this world! We love the outer space print on the watch dial, as it adds a unique bit of flair.
• The black leather strap is of solid quality and looks great around any and all wrists.
• The stainless steel construction of this watch ups its durability considerably.

Cons

• The stark black watch dial may be hard to read in low light or for those with visual impairments.
• The size of the watch face may be just a bit too big for those with smaller wrists.

5) Casio LRW200H-7BVCF Women’s Analog Quartz Watch

From a watch that’s more suited for nights out on the town to a watch that’s an all-purpose active wonder, the Casio Women’s Analog Quartz Watch offers unparalleled durability for a women’s sport watch at this price point. The 100 meters of water resistance is extremely impressive for a cost-effective Casio watch, and the rainbow watch dial number layout is one of the coolest aesthetic touches in this buying guide.

Specs

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Case Diameter: 33 mm

Case Thickness: 15 mm

Band Material: Plastic

Band Length: Women’s Standard

Band Width: 14 mm

Band Color: White

Dial Color: White

Bezel Material: Plastic

Water Resistant Rating: 100 meters

Movement: JapaneseQuartz

Pros

• This watch can be taken for a swim or worn during a luxurious bath without sustaining water damage.
• It’s a great sports watch for those looking for a splash of colorful personality to go along with it.
• The clean white-on-white aesthetic looks crisp when used as either a workout watch or as an everyday watch.

Cons

• The watch face is smaller than most and will be hard to see for some.
• The white band gets stained really easily, so you’ll have to be careful with it.

4) XOXO Gold-Tone Women’s Analog Watch

Undoubtedly the flashiest watch on this list, the XOXO Gold-Tone Women’s Analog Watch gives off luxury watch vibes for a slim fraction of the cost. When you have this rose gold-accented beauty around your wrist, you’ll look and feel like a million bucks. You rarely find beautiful watches like this in the sale bin of your local department store. This crystal-studded beauty normally retails for that amount, and we’re still wondering how!

Specs

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp

Case Material: Metal

Case Diameter: 37 mm

Case Thickness: 6.5 mm

Band Material: Metal

Band Length: Women’s Standard

Band Width: 19.5 mm

Band Color: Gold, Rose Gold

Dial Color: Beige

Bezel Material: Metal

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• This watch may earn you some compliments from those who think it’s a luxury dress watch.
• The combination of gold tones and rose gold tones on the strap will pop with many different wardrobe choices.
• We’re a big fan of the dial design which is just busy enough to look luxurious without looking cramped for space.

Cons

• The large face wouldn’t be out of place on a watch made for men, and it may be too gaudy for smaller wrists.
• This product offers no real protection from water damage, so don’t wear it in the shower or pool!

3) Moulin Digital Pastel Jelly Wrist Watch

If you’re searching for a women’s sports watch that’s as stylish as it is comfy when wrapped around your wrist, look no further than the Moulin Digital Pastel Jelly Wrist Watch. The real highlight here is the pink silicone strap — a button-cute strap which doubles as the comfiest watch strap we’ve tested for this countdown. And for those with active lifestyles, this watch also has a super useful and accurate stopwatch!

Specs

Display Type: Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Metal

Case Diameter: 38 mm

Case Thickness: 12.5 mm

Band Material: Silicone

Band Length: Women’s Standard

Band Width: 16 mm

Band Color: Pink

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• The pink silicone strap conforms nicely to your wrist without feeling heavy or jagged.
• If you don’t like pink, this watch is available in other colors through the company’s website!
• The digital watch face is easy to read, especially when illuminated.

Cons

• The watch band isn’t very big and may be challenging to wear for those with bigger wrists.
• The backlight doesn’t have a long usage life, so beware of that.

2) Casio F91w-1 Digital Sport Watch

When searching for watches for men under 20 dollars, we ran into a bit of an issue. Most of the men’s watches we were looking to profile are currently having stock issues. However, the Casio F91W-1 Digital Sport Watch is always a reliable find worth a look! It’s retro design hearkens back to the 1970s and 1980s without feeling dated, and the inclusion of a stopwatch, auto calendar, and multiple alarm functions add layers to its usefulness.

Specs

Display Type: Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Case Diameter: 33 mm

Case Thickness: 8 mm

Band Material: Plastic

Band Width: 18 mm

Band Color: Black

Dial Color: Digital

Bezel Material: Resin

Water Resistant Rating: 50 meters

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• You can’t beat the classic form and functionality of this watch for this price!
• The inclusion of a stopwatch and easy-to-use auto calendar feels like a steal.
• This sports watch has a solid waterproof rating which means you won’t have to worry if you accidentally take it into the shower.

Cons

• The backlight isn’t the strongest and sometimes only lights up one side of the watch.
• The wrist band is a little bit short and may be tricky for those with bigger wrists.

1) Casio Women’s Classic Analog Round Watch

What is it about the Casio Women’s Classic Analog Round Watch which sets it apart from other low-cost watches you’ll find on Amazon and in other online marketplaces? For starters, it’s the best watch under 20 dollars for men or women when it comes to balancing style, substance, and overall construction quality. And the included quartz movement is one of the more accurate movements you’re going to find at such a reduced price point.

Specs

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Case Diameter: 25 mm

Case Thickness: 8 mm

Band Material: Plastic

Band Length: Women’s Standard

Band Width: 12 mm

Band Color: Black

Dial Color: White

Bezel Material: Resin, Stainless Steel

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• If we were to commission someone to create a crowd-pleasing watch for under 20 dollars, we’d hope it’d look and feel like this.
• The stainless steel and resin hybrid of the bezel adds an extra bit of lasting power to this watch.
• This watch simply looks great without going overboard with bells and whistles.

Cons

• This watch will be a tough fit for those with bigger wrists.
• It’s solid in protecting against water damage, but don’t try to take it swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cheap watches under 20 dollars make for a good gift?

Yes! Whether you’re looking for a budget stocking stuffer or a present for someone who has been searching for the perfect timepiece, the best watches under 20 dollars are also among the best low-cost gift ideas you’re going to find out there! Some of the best watch brands in the business, from Casio to Timex, offer budget watches which look great and function even better!

In our list of the best watches under 20 dollars, you can find a sports watch for family members with active lifestyles and a budget dress watch for those close to you who love a good night out. When you’re buying holiday or birthday presents on a budget, the price tag on the above watches will be something for you to celebrate.

What are the best watches for men under 20 dollars?

Our pick for the best watch for men under 2o dollars is the Casio F91W-1 Digital Sport Watch. It’s retro digital watch design scheme, stopwatch functionality, and budget sensibility makes it the best budget watch for men for less than a twenty dollar bill.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more than 20 dollars, Timex has several great affordable, attractive watch options which go with nearly any outfit you can think of. Our current favorites are the Timex Men’s Easy Reader Leather Strap 38mm Watch and the Timex Men Expedition Scout 40 Watch. The former has a large face for those with visual impairments and a classic, rustic look. The latter is an extremely durable canvas strap watch which will make the perfect addition for any hiker or biker looking for a balance of simplicity and durability from their watch.

What are the best watches for women under 20 dollars?

Of our six picks for the best watches under 20 dollars, five are women’s watches or unisex designs. What we look for in the best low-cost women’s watches are a comfortable watch band, a workable size that goes with any outfit, quality product construction whether it’s made of stainless steel or resin, and a universal versatility which makes it useful in any country. That’s why we’re such a fan of the Casio Women’s Classic Analog Round Watch — a simple, good-looking timepiece which has all the things you’d want out of a cheap women’s watch.

Our other top picks for the best watches under 20 dollars for women are the Moulin Digital Pastel Jelly Wrist Watch for play and the XOXO Gold-Tone Women’s Analog Watch for occasions which require a dressier touch.

Closing Thoughts

You’re bound to find at least one or two watches for yourself or someone you love from our selection of the six best watches under 20 dollars. You may not get a ton of features like a compass or a heart monitor out of these items, but you will get good-looking watch designs, lasting quality, and some amazing gift ideas that won’t break your bank.